To Smudge or not to Smudge

We all have rituals built into our lives which help calm us – from meditation, to making a cuppa, from running a bath, to applying our favourite scent in the morning

‘Smudging’ is the common name given to the indigenous American ritual of burning herbs. For thousands of years this ancient spiritual cleansing technique has called upon the spirits of various sacred plants to drive away negative energy and to restore balance to an individual, a group, a space or all three.

Nowadays, this practice has been adopted widely by many other cultures and peoples who want to invoke a state of mindfulness, relax or just enjoy the intoxicating scent of herbs.  After all, humans have used smoke for years to drive off insects or to try to prevent disease.  From the incense of Asia and Europe to the sage of the Celts and the cedar of the indigenous Americans, smoke generated from burning plants has also played an important part in prayer and spiritual practice.

Smudge sticks are herbs bundled together to make burning easier and smudging is simple enough if you want to have a go yourself. If you have a heavy earthenware pot (something heatproof), then place the bundled herbs into the pot and light it for a few seconds before extinguishing the flame and letting the smoke billow up. Really dry sage will catch fire quickly, so watch your fingers. To extinguish the herbs completely when finished, either submerge in soil in the garden, or in a bowl of water.

Any sort of fragrant herb can be used. Alongside traditional sage, lavender can provide a calming and soothing energy and eucalyptus is fresh and invigorating. Enjoy these intoxicating smoky scents by smudging and also find these powerful ingredients in our products...  #findubiety

Guest blogger: Louise Madel